adapted housing

[basil brush]

I have put my name down for an adapted house, because the housing OT said it would be better than a flat or bungalow because of the extra stuff i need, electric wheelchair, manga, etc, and i have recently been put into Medical Urgency1 and got my full 10 points back because they took 8 off me because of the equity in my house.

I have now been told that i will only be considered for a property if there is a through lift already in it, Council Policy, but, according to the housing officer and OT there is no propertys in the chosen area that have a lift in.

So i cant

Bid on a property unless there is a lift in

the area's i have put down have no propertys with a lift in

They wont put a lift in just for me even though i am the only 1 in the borough and on the housing list with this problem

So why all this is going on i am going worse, as its progressive, what happens in 6 months time when ive gone worse but yet these people still dont have a property with a lift in.

I understand the money is the issue and the person wants a pat on the back for not overspending but unlike stair lifts, which the council throw in the skip when there no longer needed in a property, which cant be used by everyone a through lift would be suitable for everyone.

So the group i'm in and the number of points i have are a waste of time.

[Lighttouch]

Let's get this right. The OTs have assessed you as medical urgency 1 and you have 10 points. There are no available houses on the local housing list with a through lift. You already live in your own house and I guess you're not in negative equity.

Here are my thoughts -
The council has a duty of care to do something about this but don't seem to be using their imagination.

The council won't install a through lift into a council house unless you were already living in it as a council tenant

Solution - The Council's Aids and Adaptations team should assess the house you live in. Couldn't they install one in your existing house. http://www.wessexlifts.co.uk/products/vertical_lift_range.htm

You'd lose space upstairs and downstairs with a through lift. Have they considered building a lift on the outside of your home.

I also thought you might be eligible for the independent living fund but it seems they are no longer taking new applications.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/ilf/about-ilf/how-the-ilf-works/ilf-eligibility/

So let's get more creative if the above fails -

There will be Registered Social Landlords in your area. They may have some new build homes which are accessible built to Part M of building regulations if not the 'homes for life' criteria. They may be on one level with warden assistance if you need it. They may also be on a shared ownership scheme where you could buy a percentage of the value of the house eg 25/50/75%` and rent the rest.

To release the capital in your home you'd have to sell it. If you can't sell it you could ask the RSL if they would take it off your hands for an equity share in one of their properties.

At least consider this option as it might save you a very long wait.

The last option is checking out the sheltered accommodation in your area. There are no waiting lists for this typeof home and it will all be accessible - you need to be over 50 to be eligible.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[andypandy]

There is the Disabled Facilities Grant which could adapt your own home - have they suggested this to you BB ?

[basil brush]

thanks for you reply's

i got a disabled grant which they used to put a wet room in and a few other things and what i cant understand about this is i had to find £1800 towards a £30,000 grant, because i work 30hrs, but there as only been £13,500 used so where as te rest of my deposit gone?


I have had OTs round and an architech and the only way i could have one in is if it went through the living room up to the front bedroom but then i wouldnt have room for a profiling bed.

The OTs all agreed that in the long run it would be better to move into a coucil house and adapt that to suit my condition which in turn would mean that it would suit a lot of other people if i ever moved out, but the guy over it all just keeps saying thats it council policy to only offer an adapted property with a through lift already fitted, even they they all no there is none

[andypandy]

Unfortunately BB thats how DFGs work.

I needed a stair lift and they wanted to charge me £6,000 for a £2,000 stair lift !!! Its because the grant can be upto £30,000 so like you, even if you have £13,000 worth of work done you still have to pay the same if you had the £30,000 worth of work done. Yes a con !

It seems you are going to have a fight on your hands. How about trying your MP, mine was useless when I needed help but yours may
be better.

I wish I knew something else that may help.

I fought for nearly 2 years to even allow Social Services allow me to apply for a DFG and then because my husband works were told we would have to pay ourselves. There is no way we can afford the £25,000 so I just have to manage best I can

Let me know if can help

The very best of luck